Qin Fang remained silent.

On one side was his own brother, and on the other, his opinion on the matter.

Yang Haiyan didn’t pressure him to answer.

She sympathized with Miss Li, because in any world, when something like this happens, women are always the victims.

However, she said: “Husband, in this world, the only person responsible for you is yourself. No matter how wrong a decision you make, you can’t blame others. But if someone else makes a decision for you and it turns out to be wrong, then they will forever be your excuse and the one you blame.

So, regardless of what happens between Shouye and Miss Li, I won’t support or oppose it, nor will I express any opinion. Because if it turns out badly, I can’t bear the weight of someone else’s life.

Similarly, I don’t want you to carry someone else’s burden either.I’m selfish like that—I only want you to take responsibility for my life.”

Qin Fang had been deep in thought, but hearing this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

He stared at Yang Haiyan intently, remembering what he had overheard earlier—that she had fallen in love with him at first sight. In an instant, he grasped her hands tightly and said, “Yanyan, I… I…”

Seeing his face turn red, Yang Haiyan asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Qin Fang, clearly nervous, blushed even more before awkwardly blurting out, “I… I’ll be good to you.”

In truth, he wanted to say “I like you,” but for some reason, he just couldn’t get the words out today.

The more he thought about how Yang Haiyan had fallen for him at first sight, the more embarrassed he became.

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but laugh.

She touched his face gently and said, “I know, you’ve always been good to me, and I believe you’ll be even better in the future. I don’t ask for much, only that you continue to treat me the way you do now—that’s enough for me.”

“Mm.” Qin Fang responded firmly, his voice full of resolve.

Yang Haiyan continued, “Now sit down, let’s continue our discussion.”

“Okay,” Qin Fang agreed and sat down obediently.

Yang Haiyan resumed, “What I mean is, since you can’t take responsibility for Shouye’s life, and you’re not able to, then you might as well leave his matters alone.

If Shouye tells our father and mother about it, let them decide.

Although Shouye is your younger brother, it’s still his life. We’ll eventually divide the family and live our separate lives, don’t you think?

Besides, there are two other important points.

First: You’ve been supported by your teacher and have gained the favor of the emperor, so it’s impossible for your career to stop here.

If Shouye and Miss Li get married, because of your connection, they will be in the public eye.

Miss Li’s past will inevitably be dug up, and her history could become a way for others to attack you.

Wherever I go, people will ask me about this issue, too. I’m selfish—I don’t want to waste our time and energy dealing with other people’s problems.

Second: Miss Li is a woman, and if this matter is exposed, she’ll be hurt again. Can she handle it?

So, deep down, I don’t really want them to be together, but I won’t stop it.

If they do get married, they shouldn’t stay with us. It would be easier for everyone, including them.

Once they leave, whatever happens between them, or with Miss Li, will be their responsibility and has nothing to do with us.”

She admitted she was selfish and perhaps heartless, but she really didn’t want to waste time on someone else’s issues, especially knowing they could keep cropping up.

Qin Fang usually listened to Yang Haiyan, and when he thought what she said made sense, he’d follow her advice.

Just like now, at first, he didn’t agree because of what happened to Miss Li.

But after hearing Yang Haiyan’s analysis of the possible consequences, he realized things weren’t so simple. “Alright, I won’t interfere.”

As people grow up, they develop their own thoughts, and often there’s an element of selfishness—nobody wants to let someone else’s problems affect their family.

Seeing that he agreed, Yang Haiyan felt relieved.

She had been worried that his sense of responsibility would compel him to get involved.

Now, it seemed Qin Fang was more rational than she had thought.

However, she added, “This is still just Shouye’s idea, and Miss Li doesn’t know yet. I think, given what happened with the bandits, Miss Li might not recover that quickly.

Shouye mentioned earlier that Miss Li was nervous around him, so she may not have any romantic feelings.

But it’s not the right time to ask her yet.

If Shouye can accept what I’ve said, then we can have a talk with Doctor Li and see what he thinks.

It would be better for Doctor Li to discuss this with Miss Li, so she doesn’t feel pressured.”

Qin Fang replied, “Alright, I’ll listen to you. But that kid has too much free time at home. Starting tomorrow, he’ll come to the barracks with me for some training. We can deal with the accounts in the evenings.”

Yang Haiyan chuckled softly, “You decide then.”

Qin Fang asked, displeased, “What are you laughing at? I’m out here in the sun, while he’s inside the estate living comfortably, comfortable enough to daydream.”

Yang Haiyan stayed silent, realizing that Qin Fang was annoyed with his younger brother.

The couple didn’t speak any further about Qin Shouye, but after returning home, Qin Shouye was left completely indecisive, with his mind in such a state of chaos that he couldn’t even form coherent thoughts.

The next day, before Qin Shouye got out of bed, Tao Shan came over.

Qin Shouye had been awake all night and only fell asleep as dawn approached, so when Tao Shan came to wake him, he was still groggy.

But when he heard Tao Shan say that his eldest brother would come to see him after breakfast, he instantly became fully awake, quickly getting up to eat.

After breakfast, Qin Shouye was taken away by Qin Fang.

In fact, it wasn’t until he was brought to the military camp that he finally snapped back to reality.

Seeing the soldiers training inside the camp, he asked in confusion, “Big brother, why did you bring me here?”

Qin Fang replied, “There are no people in the camp who don’t know martial arts, and no soldiers who don’t train. Even though you’re in charge of the accounts, you must keep up.”

Qin Shouye figured that this was a punishment for what had happened the day before, but he didn’t dare to object.

After a full day of training, Qin Shouye was exhausted.

He didn’t have the energy to think about Miss Li.

That night, when he followed Qin Fang back to the general’s residence after the shift, he collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

Days passed like this, and by September, the weather gradually cooled down, and Qin Shouye slowly adjusted to this new life.

At just sixteen, perhaps because his life now was better than before, he had dreams but didn’t know how to bear the heavy burdens of life.

He often thought about Miss Li but couldn’t come up with any solutions.

Marry into her family? The elders wouldn’t agree.

No children?

The elders wouldn’t agree to that either.

For a time, he felt that the daily training in the camp was unexpectedly enjoyable—it allowed him to forget everything and not think about anything.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-September.

On this day, Aunt Fan, who had left the general’s residence over four months ago, finally returned.

However, she didn’t come back alone.

She brought her daughter and granddaughter with her.

As soon as she returned, she knelt in front of Yang Haiyan. “Madam, please, I beg you to stand up for me.”

Yang Haiyan looked at Aunt Fan, her daughter, and her granddaughter.

Their expressions were not only tired but also pale.

She gestured for Granny Lian to help Aunt Fan up. “What’s the matter? Take your time and tell me what happened. If there’s been any injustice, I’ll definitely make it right for you.”

Aunt Fan had been working for her for a year and a half, always diligent and hardworking.

If she had been wronged, Yang Haiyan would certainly support her.

Granny Lian suggested, “Why don’t I take your daughter and granddaughter to your room to rest for a while? The little girl looks exhausted and needs a good rest.”

Aunt Fan hurriedly agreed, “I hadn’t thought it through; Mama Lian is very considerate.”

She then turned to her daughter, “Xiao Mei, you and the child go with Mama Lian to rest in my room. I’ll come over later.”

The woman called Xiao Mei nodded.

Though she seemed timid, there was a stubbornness in her eyes.

With only Yang Haiyan and Aunt Fan left in the room, Aunt Fan looked at Yang Haiyan, hesitating to speak.

She had come with the intention of asking her mistress for help, giving her daughter a bit of hope, but now she worried that her request might trouble her.

Yang Haiyan poured a cup of plain water for Aunt Fan. “Aunt Fan, whatever it is, you can tell me. As long as we’re in the right, we can travel the world without fear.”

Aunt Fan hesitated for a long time, and Yang Haiyan didn’t rush her.

Finally, feeling too awkward to sit any longer, Aunt Fan spoke up. “Actually… actually, this matter is related to the imperial grain incident.”

Everyone in the nation now knew about the imperial grain initiative, so it wasn’t surprising that Aunt Fan knew about it.

Besides, Aunt Fan’s hometown was in Ren Prefecture.

Yang Haiyan listened attentively. “Could it be that this matter has troubled your family?”

Aunt Fan shook her head. “No, no, but… but it’s related.”

“Go on, I’m listening,” Yang Haiyan encouraged.

Aunt Fan sighed, “To explain this, I have to talk about my hometown. My home is in Laiwang County, which falls under the jurisdiction of Hedong Prefecture.

Our general’s residence is overseeing the imperial grain initiative in the entire Hedong Prefecture, and the local agent for Laiwang County is a family of local gentry—the Jin family. You’ve heard of them, right?”

Yang Haiyan nodded, “Yes, the Jin family is a respected, scholarly family. Their ancestors produced an official of the Hanlin Academy, and the current head of the family is a retired third-rank official.

Even though he’s retired, they still have family members holding positions in the capital.

The one who got the agency for the imperial grain project is one of his sons, who went into business.”

A retired third-rank official was not someone the local authorities would dare to offend.

After all, even the county magistrate was only a seventh-rank official. “So this has to do with the Jin family?”

Aunt Fan quickly clarified, “No, no, it’s not about the Jin family, but rather the county magistrate.

He learned of my connection to the general’s residence and lured my useless son-in-law into racking up massive gambling debts.

Then he told him to ask me to get the general’s residence to give the Jin family’s agency rights to him.”